Review of Secrets of the Kashmir Valley
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Review of Secrets of the Kashmir Valley
[Following is a volunteer review of "Secrets of the Kashmir Valley" by Farhana Qazi.]
Secrets of the Kashmir Valley - 5/5 stars
Being an Indian far from the beauties of Kashmir, I actually might be one of the more ignorant people about the atrocities being committed against this 'Paradise on Earth'. I remember someone saying that nobody in history has paid the cost of beauty like Kashmir has.
I am not anyone to give a political opinion- while I am a deeply political person, Kashmir's tale has been infiltrated with such hooks of media through such shambles of patriarchy that I don't believe I am yet educated enough to give a coherent, valid opinion over that. The opinion I will give is that Farhana Qazi has a beautiful, splendid knack for storytelling.
Indian Army's violence against the women in Kashmir is no secret, yet if you were a consumer of popular media in the country you would be surprised at the holier than thou reputation the armed forces possess in the nation. Even if free speech and media were to be completely enforced today, it would take more than two decades for the majority in the country to understand the crimes against Kashmir and how the nation isn't owed, Kashmir.
The book highlights the victims who always, no matter where or what, suffer the worst consequences of war women and children. It penetrates through the lives of various Kashmiri women and provides a lens of utterly raw sentiments. This isn't a book about India's Kashmir or Pakistan's Kashmir, it's a story about Kashmir.
Be it Sadia, or be it Yasmine, there wasn't just a spirit for patriotism or courage, there was a spirit for individuality- for womanhood. The other Kashmir books I have read are by Aanchal Malhotra, and I find a similar, heart-touching daintiness in the author's writing. This isn't just a reflection on war, it's a reflection on all the courage and spirit war brings back.
I am not the biggest fan of nonfiction, but I am definitely the biggest fan of well-researched books. Every line, every tale, echoed the depths of knowledge the author had pried into to give us this magnificent book. Kashmir is a delicate subject- not just because of its political scenarios but because it itself is a delicate idea, conventionally beautiful but unconventionally chronicled. Farhana Qazi, however, gives us this 'herstory' of Kashmir instead- which gives us a glimpse of the worst of the worst crimes being committed in this heavenly place, and the lives of women who might be more vibrant than Kashmir itself.
This book is a must-read for anyone interested in war history or Kashmir in general.
******
Secrets of the Kashmir Valley
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Secrets of the Kashmir Valley - 5/5 stars
Being an Indian far from the beauties of Kashmir, I actually might be one of the more ignorant people about the atrocities being committed against this 'Paradise on Earth'. I remember someone saying that nobody in history has paid the cost of beauty like Kashmir has.
I am not anyone to give a political opinion- while I am a deeply political person, Kashmir's tale has been infiltrated with such hooks of media through such shambles of patriarchy that I don't believe I am yet educated enough to give a coherent, valid opinion over that. The opinion I will give is that Farhana Qazi has a beautiful, splendid knack for storytelling.
Indian Army's violence against the women in Kashmir is no secret, yet if you were a consumer of popular media in the country you would be surprised at the holier than thou reputation the armed forces possess in the nation. Even if free speech and media were to be completely enforced today, it would take more than two decades for the majority in the country to understand the crimes against Kashmir and how the nation isn't owed, Kashmir.
The book highlights the victims who always, no matter where or what, suffer the worst consequences of war women and children. It penetrates through the lives of various Kashmiri women and provides a lens of utterly raw sentiments. This isn't a book about India's Kashmir or Pakistan's Kashmir, it's a story about Kashmir.
Be it Sadia, or be it Yasmine, there wasn't just a spirit for patriotism or courage, there was a spirit for individuality- for womanhood. The other Kashmir books I have read are by Aanchal Malhotra, and I find a similar, heart-touching daintiness in the author's writing. This isn't just a reflection on war, it's a reflection on all the courage and spirit war brings back.
I am not the biggest fan of nonfiction, but I am definitely the biggest fan of well-researched books. Every line, every tale, echoed the depths of knowledge the author had pried into to give us this magnificent book. Kashmir is a delicate subject- not just because of its political scenarios but because it itself is a delicate idea, conventionally beautiful but unconventionally chronicled. Farhana Qazi, however, gives us this 'herstory' of Kashmir instead- which gives us a glimpse of the worst of the worst crimes being committed in this heavenly place, and the lives of women who might be more vibrant than Kashmir itself.
This book is a must-read for anyone interested in war history or Kashmir in general.
******
Secrets of the Kashmir Valley
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Eternal Hero by William Grace
